Melton and Moorabool will share in more than $2 billion in roads funding over eight years if the Labor Party wins next year’s state election.
Labor’s ‘Project 10,000’ promises a minimum of $1 billion to improve roads in growth areas. There’s a further $1 billion to upgrade level crossings and roads in regional communities.
To be funded by the sale of the Port of Melbourne, works will include removing 50 level crossings in Melbourne, widening the West Gate Bridge and Tullamarine Freeway, and providing extra parking at some railway stations.
While Premier Denis Napthine said the plan was a ‘‘slap in the face’’ for the people of the western suburbs and would create gridlock and chaos, Melton Labor MP Don Nardella said there was plenty for Melton and Moorabool residents.
“There’s a need for a number of upgraded country arterial roads in places like Moorabool,’’ he said. “The development of Toolern [as an activity centre] will be able to be assisted by this funding.”
Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said the plan fell short of being a comprehensive arrangement to fix Victoria’s transport problems. He said issues requiring urgent attention included high-capacity rail signalling, planning for new suburban rail extensions including to Melbourne Airport, duplicating and electrifying the Melton line, and revamping the bus network to boost service frequency and dovetail with train timetables.
Melton planning and development general manager Luke Shannon said while the council didn’t have a formal view on the plan, it supported improvements to the overall transport network.
Western Victoria Liberal MP Simon Ramsay said there was no detail about specific projects for Melton and Moorabool.
“There’s no additional trains and buses which could help reduce the congestion from east to west,’’ he said.
“There’s no big-picture plan.”
